Review: The Lord of Ireland by E.M. Powell

 England, 1185.

John is a prince without prospect of a crown. 

As the youngest son of Henry II, he has long borne the hated nickname ‘Lackland’. When warring tribes and an ambitious Anglo-Norman lord threaten Henry’s reign in Ireland, John believes his time has finally come. Henry is dispatching him there with a mighty force to impose order. Yet it is a thwarted young man who arrives on the troubled isle. John has not been granted its kingship—he is merely the Lord of Ireland, destined never to escape his father’s shadow. Unknown to John, Henry has also sent his right-hand man, Sir Benedict Palmer, to root out the traitors he fears are working to steal the land from him. But Palmer is horrified when John disregards Henry’s orders and embarks on a campaign of bloodshed that could destroy the kingdom.

Now Palmer has to battle the increasingly powerful Lord of Ireland. Power, in John’s hands, is a murderous force—and he is only just beginning to wield it.

Publication Date: April 5, 2016 

Thomas & Mercer Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook; 370 Pages

 Series: The Fifth Knight

 Genre: Historical Thriller

  

*****  

This is the third book in the Fifth Knight Series by EM Powell. I have read the first two books which I really enjoyed and looked forward to continuing with this series. Though I highly recommend starting at the beginning with The Fifth Knight and then continuing with The Blood of the Fifth Knight, these books can be read as standalones but there is history with some of the main characters that are fully explained in the first one.

What I really loved about this book was the way John Lackland was portrayed. You know how you have an image in your mind of historical figures, not just their looks but their personalities and behavior? In this book John was exactly how I pictured him and I love that. Being the son of a King with no inheritance left I can see how he would be bitter, jealous and out to prove he is worthy of a Kingship. Henry is right in his fears of Johnny by only making him Lord of Ireland.

This book continues with the story of Sir Benedict  Palmer and his wife Theodosia as they set off to Ireland at the request of King Henry II. Again this was an action-packed book full of mystery and suspense and I was not disappointed. Though some characters are fictional the author also draws on real historical figures and events, thus creating a very entertaining read. Her descriptive writing was spot on and I had no problem visualizing what was taking place and being able to feel the emotion of the characters here.

The author ended the book with historical notes explaining what was fact and fiction which always finishes a book off nicely. I have not heard if this series will continue but one can always hope.

Thank you to each of HFVBT for the invite to be part of this blog tour and a complementary e-book copy for review purposes

Praise for The Fifth Knight Series

"With her fast-paced mysteries set in the tumultuous reign of Henry II, E.M. Powell takes readers on enthralling, and unforgettable, journeys." -Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Crown “Both Fifth Novels are terrific. Benedict and Theodosia are not merely attractive characters: they are intensely real people.” -Historical Novels Review “From the get-go you know you are in an adventure when you enter the world of E.M. Powell's 12th century. Peril pins you down like a knight's lance to the chest”-Edward Ruadh Butler, author of Swordland

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E.M. Powell’s medieval thrillers The Fifth Knight and The Blood of the Fifth Knight have been number-one Amazon bestsellers and on the Bild bestseller list in Germany. Born into the family of Michael Collins (the legendary revolutionary and founder of the Irish Free State) and raised in the Republic of Ireland, she lives in north-west England with her husband, daughter and a Facebook-friendly dog. She reviews fiction and non-fiction for the Historical Novel Society, blogs for English Historical Fiction Authors and is a contributing editor to International Thriller Writers’ The Big Thrill magazine.

Find more information at E.M. Powell's website and blog.

You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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